Radiation-emitting computer monitor sparks probe, but no cause for alarm

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Authorities gave the "all clear" after a suspicious package shut down Terminal A at Newark Airport.

Updated at 11:38 PM EDT on Wednesday, Nov 14, 2012

Authorities have given the "all clear" at Newark Airport after TSA employees detected a "positive hit" for possible explosives in a bag during checked luggage screening at Terminal A, NBCNewYork has learned.

Terminal A had been shut down out of an abundance of precaution, authorities said. The Union County bomb squad and Port Authority police were called in to investigate. American Airlines flights are based at the terminal, which reopened just before 9 a.m.

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Authorities determined the "suspicious package" was a computer monitor emitting small amounts of radiation, which is normal for that type of device, FBI spokesman Bryan Travers said.

The woman who owns the bag made her flight but the bag didn't, which added to the confusion and concern sparked when the package, being shipped to the same destination as its owner, produced a positive hit for possible explosives, an official with knowledge of the investigation told NBCNewYork.

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A routine check showed the TV/computer monitor gave the false positive.

"To ensure the safety of the traveling public, the nearby security checkpoint was temporarily closed," the Transportation Security Administration said in a statement. "The item was cleared by the local law enforcement bomb squad at approximately 8:16 am EST and normal operations have resumed."

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